Celebrity Tomato in Zone 4A — Great Plains

Celebrity Tomato is a solid choice for Plains gardeners. It delivers reliable yields of great-tasting, medium-sized red tomatoes perfect for slicing, salads, and canning. Plus, its excellent disease resistance helps ensure success even if you're new to growing tomatoes in our unique climate.

Our region can throw some curveballs with extreme temperature swings, variable rainfall, and the occasional hail storm. But with a little planning and attention to timing within our roughly 138-day growing season, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Celebrity Tomatoes.

Starting Celebrity Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go in the Great Plains, since our growing season is short. Aim to sow your seeds early to late April, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. This gives them a head start.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Bottom watering works great—just set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up. You'll also need a warm spot (around 70-75°F) and plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Keep in mind that spring weather can be variable here, so watch out for temperature swings in your house!

Transplant your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors late May through late June, once the danger of frost has passed. Be sure to harden them off first by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade and increase the time each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast around transplant time—a late cold snap or a hailstorm can set your plants back. Protect them with row covers or cloches if needed.

Consistent watering is essential for Celebrity Tomatoes, especially given our hot summers and variable rainfall. While they have good disease resistance, they aren't drought-tolerant, so don't let them dry out.

During the peak of summer, when temperatures soar into the 90s, you'll likely need to water deeply a couple times a week. The finger test is your friend: stick your finger into the soil about two inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our low-to-moderate humidity.

Drooping leaves are a sign of underwatering, while yellowing lower leaves can indicate overwatering. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is especially helpful in our sometimes windy conditions.

Celebrity Tomato is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a certain size and then stops, so it doesn't need the towering support that indeterminate varieties do. However, it still benefits from a cage or stake to keep the fruit off the ground and prevent sprawling.

Medium-height tomato cages work well for this variety. Install the support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently guide the branches inside the cage. In our windy Plains climate, make sure the cage is securely anchored to prevent it from tipping over.

You can expect your first Celebrity Tomatoes to ripen early August through mid September, about 70 days after transplanting. The fruits will be medium-large and a deep red color.

A ripe tomato will be firm but have a slight give when gently squeezed. Twist or snip the stem just above the fruit to harvest. Check your plants regularly, as they will continue to produce throughout the season. To encourage continued production, harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.

As the first frost approaches in late September, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still develop a good flavor, especially if you place them in a paper bag with a ripe apple or banana to speed up the process.

Even with their good disease resistance, Celebrity Tomatoes can still face some challenges in the Great Plains. Here are a few common problems to watch out for:

Blossom Drop

• What it looks like: Flowers fall off the plant without setting fruit. Small fruit turns yellow and drops. The plant looks healthy otherwise.
• What causes it: Temperature stress is the main culprit. Hot days (above 95°F) and warm nights (above 75°F) interfere with pollination. Low humidity and excess nitrogen can also contribute, which is common in our region.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient – fruit set usually resumes when temperatures cool down. Provide afternoon shade during periods of extreme heat. Keep plants consistently watered, but avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. You can also try hand-pollinating the flowers.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves are stripped overnight. You might also notice large (up to 4 inches) green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes and dark droppings on the leaves below.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths. They lay their eggs on tomato family plants, and the caterpillars are voracious eaters.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpicking is very effective – just toss them into a bucket of soapy water. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is an organic option that targets caterpillars. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on their backs, leave them alone – those are parasitic wasp eggs that will eventually kill the hornworm and release more beneficial wasps.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (a target or bullseye pattern) appear on the lower leaves first, then spread upward. The leaves eventually yellow and drop.
• What causes it: This is a fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads via soil splash onto the lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy any affected leaves (don't compost them). Mulch around the base of the plants to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant, not overhead. Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning if necessary. Copper fungicide can help slow the spread of the disease. Rotate your crops each year to prevent the fungus from building up in the soil.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: Our hot summers, low-to-moderate humidity, and variable rainfall can create a challenging environment for Celebrity Tomatoes. Be sure to monitor your plants closely for signs of stress and adjust your watering and care accordingly. Wind protection is essential to prevent blossom drop and plant damage.

Companion planting can give your Celebrity Tomatoes a boost in the Great Plains garden. Basil is a classic companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots improve the soil around tomatoes and deter root-knot nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds are known to repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can attract tomato pests and diseases, so it's best to keep them separated.